Scratchings-and-Sniffings

NAVC First Day Wrap-Up: Proof in the Pics!

Our first full day at NAVC was educational, hectic, and fun!

On the serious side, we confirmed again how great pet people are when we arrived at the exhibit hall and found this sign pledging all of the exhibitors' lunch money — no small amounts here at the Gaylord Palms and Marriott World Center — to the International Fund for Animal Welfare for its Haiti Relief Effort.

On the educational front, I was taken back to my veterinary tech days and Tom tweeted live from the Purina Symposium hall as the vets talked about challenging cat cases, managing liver disease, and obesity (sounds like an Out Loud podcast episode with Dr. Larry and Dr. Grace, no?). You can find Tom's tweets under the Twitter hashtags #PVDNAVC and #9CatLivesMyths.

Fun? Well, as I mentioned yesterday, we got to meet Dr. Larry and Dr. Grace and today we got photographic evidence at the Purina Veterinary Diets booth:

Oh, and more proof of how great pet people are: the NAVC had pets around every corner (at least we saw quite a few people with dogs). Here's a greyhound that was actually at the Orlando Greyhound Pets of America table and tried to adopt Tom and me!

More tomorrow ... 

Home is Where the Boxes Are

You may have noticed more posts from the Good Dr. Larry, than me, lately. That's because this cross-country trip has been more time-consuming (and grueling) than expected. Luckily, Dr. Larry writes really great content, so I know he's taken good care of you.

We're back up and running, tho. Here in our new home, in Frederick (post office says Longmont, go figure) CO. The house is beautiful - but so different than our last home, it will take a bit of getting used to. Of course, like anyone who moves an entire household, and two offices, we're surrounded by boxes. For the first four days and nights, we slept on the floor. Our furniture did not arrive with us...all we had were our computers, and the Wabby.

This truck is too noisy! A Word from the Wabby

I am not sure what my Mom and Tom are up to, but we're all stuck in a big truck - and it makes so much awful noise, I can hardly sleep! At first, I didn't like being in my carrier, but Mom has me right next to her on the front seat, and sometimes she lets me out (when we stop for gas) and I get to look out the window.

Yesterday, she took me to a place where there was grass and trees and birds! I'm a little ascared of that... mostly I see those things from a window at home. And, I'm so worried about where 'home' is now... it makies me sad.

We were in a fancy place the other day, and I liked it a lot. I thought we were finally 'home'...but, we packed up again and got in that big dumb truck! Now, we're doing the same thing...after a nice night in a little room somewhere different.

Mom keeps cuddling me and promising that our trip is almost over. I hope so. This is not fun! (except the parts where I get to look out the window! )

I wonder what the new home will be like...and I wonder where my window seat will be. Hey, wait, what if there is no window seat? Yikes! MOMMMMMm

Barking News! We Arrived!

Betcha all thought I was talking about arriving in CO! Not! CO is still a long way off, but we're taking a much needed break here in New Buffalo, MI at the White Rabbit Inn. Gorgeous B&B, owned by our good friend AJ Boggio. Long, long ago AJ had me in to speak...and we fell in love with this place then.

Unfortunately, it took this road trip to CO to give us a chance to come back.

The Wabby, for those who are interested, is  holding up rather well. She sits in her cat carrier right between us, on the front seat of our Uhaul (oh boy, is that a long, sad story!) and occasionally gets to sit on my lap to look out the window. At the moment, she is enjoying AJ's hospitality in this wonderful suite...including some salmon flavored Friskies treats (AJ takes excellent care of his clients!)

We are taking a much needed day off today (might do some shopping)...and then it's on the road again, tomorrow. We stop in
Lincoln, Nebraska at a pet-friendly hotel for the nite and then...on Sunday, we will pull into our new home in CO, but we'll likely stay the night at my daughter's as it will be late.

Moving is definitely not for sissies. Moving cross country is only for the stalwart! More updates to come as we get Internet connections! Oh, and the Wabby says she'll have some Breaking Mews to share later on. (I think 2/3rds of the way through yesterday she had had enough...she would not even lift her head to acknowledge me when I talked to her; no doubt she'll tell you her side of the story tonight!)

Off for some decent food in AJ's kitchen. Toots! 

Free Loofa Toy: A Wag World Gift

We wrote about Wag World™ in our "Top 10 Togetherful Cities in America" last summer, and I just found out they have something new going on. Looks interesting so I thought I'd share. Everyone knows that Wag World is a Beneful® site (and therefore part of our sponsor, Purina pet food), right? Well, you do now.

That's our open and honest disclosure statement.

Let's move on to the good stuff. Wag World is offering the first 2,000 members who post content on WagWorld.com a free Loofa™ dog toy. See pic. You can go to the site and join, then post a fav place on the map, write a review, upload a photo, and just be sociable. How hard is that?

The offer actually started on October 15th so...they are probably closing in on 2000 entries. You need to get over their today and add your stuff. (and then come tell us about it - we can share on twitter). The offer closes when they run out or on May 1st 2010.

The Push-Over Mom

Are you a push-over Mom? Do you let your dog or cat run your life, push your buttons, pretty much rule the roost - the way the kids did, when they lived at home?

Obviously, I'm talking to pet parents who have grown children. Who have now allowed their cat(s) and/or dog(s) to become the children. Like me.

The Wabby knows this, btw. I do not know how she knows this - I could say it's her cat instinct (being a cat makes her Queen, after all), but she didn't start taking advantage of this quality until Carmie left us. Now, she makes it known in no uncertain terms that SHE needs attention, in the middle of the night, early in the morning, late afternoon, anytime she feels I'm busy attending to things that don't include her.

Does Your Dog or Cat get Car Sick?

If so, you know how unpleasant that can make the trip to Grandma's house. The good news is that in most pets the nausea that causes the signs and symptoms of car sickness can be controlled. Before we jump to the meds though let's talk about trying to get your pooch or kitty accustomed to car rides.

If you start early and gradually most pets can get used to riding in the car. The first thing to do is try a few short trips with Fido in tow. Start by driving around the block and gradually increase the duration of the trips. Try resting and getting out of the car frequently especially if you see signs of drooling. The next phase after drooling often involves something to clean up. Yuk.

 

Car sickness is really a form of motion sickness and it's caused by stimulation of the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear.

Coatimundi Sighting

I went on a three day bike trip with bunch of my crazy friends and one cool dog over the weekend. We rode about 250 miles through some of the prettiest country in both Arizona and New Mexico. The dog; Mabel, rode in the support truck with my buddy Jeff while Merriam, Mabel's mom, shared in the agony and ecstasy of the ride.

On the first night we were all sitting around the camp fire telling lies... I mean stories, when Mabel went kind of nuts and ran off into the trees.

 

Our initial reaction was skunk and we went off to try  to prevent one of those encounters. It's bad enough being around a bunch of smelly cyclists let alone a skunked dog.

 

Mabel was doing her best imitation of a coon hound at the base of a tree which got us all scouring the branches above to see what she had cornered.Well, up in the tree was one of the strangest critters I'd ever seen. I'd heard of Coatimundi's but I'd never seen one. If you can imagine a cross between a raccoon and a monkey, you'll get the picture. 

Dog Reunited with family after car crash

This story on CBS out of Nashville, really got the tears rolling the other day. I've been dying to write about it but life gets in the way (you know what I mean - all the 'other' things we have to do, instead of writing in our blogs!)

Anyway, it seems this family - Mom, Dad, at least 3 kids - memory is a bit fuzzy, but one was an adorable baby - was in a car crash and the emergency folks arrived on the scene and got the humans to the hospital very fast. But, no one thought about the dog! I'm sure the family thought about the dog, but they were likely in shock and worried about the kids. And, I'm not sure, but it's likely the dog was so scared, he ran off into the trees.

Well, the family realized the dog, Ella, was missing and really wanted her back. But, they were not in any shape to go find her. Meanwhile, Ella stayed at the crash scene...and gathered up objects that were from the crash, like a toothpaste tube, and a comb, and other items from the family. And, she brought them into the woods, by a tree...and she stayed there. She waited, and she waited, and she kept those little items of her family nearby and she ... waited.

Interview with Paul Mann of Fetch!™ Pet Care

We have an exciting podcast for today's Scratchings & Sniffings Out Loud.

Have you ever wished there were more options for taking care of your pet when you're away? How about...having someone check on a sick pet that's at home, but you have to be at work? How about taking your pet with you on vacation, but not wanting to leave him or her alone while you go off playing at the amusement park all day?

There is an answer to those questions and more. This is Part One of a two-part series with Paul Mann of Fetch!™ Pet Care. I'm excited about his franchise opportunities, and about the seriousness of his approach. He isn't in this for the money...he's in it because he knows we want the best care for our pets, when we're not around. I am very impressed by his franchise opportunities, and his approach to pet care - AND his guarantee. Listen up to this first half of my talk with Paul...and stay tuned for Part Two next week.